Owners In Their 90s Killed In Car Accident
A couple in their 90s where killed in a car accident last week in my neighborhood. They had a very nice house which I am very interested in, Their children (in their 70s) live out of state but they are here for the week. What would be the best way to approach them regarding purchasing the house.
How bout my name is joeb and I am sorry for your loss,I am also interested in stealing your dead parents house.
I can pay for the funeral and know a good probate attorney that I can pay for as well, the only catch is………………… I[ Edited by rickomarsh on Date 12/31/2003 ]
wow rick...no mercy here. joeb, I would be very compassionate when approaching them. You can do it and not offend them, but it will be interesting to find out how you do it. I would let a little time pass before going over and talking to them. You also might contact the mortgage company they are using and start there. Good luck
Contacting the mortgage may be a waist of time. I would bet that there is not a mortgage to start with. What info can you get. Not much is anything. Do some research to determine the value and check county records to check if the taxes are paid but you would want to see if you can get a deal first. They may just list with a realtor and try to get full value. You may suggest this and as an alternative you can buy for less and handle all the details and close quicker. Helping deal with all their trouble may be a godsend especially as they are elderly too
Good LUCK and HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Hope this helps some
Ted Jr
Fact is I have worked countless probate deals and it is one thing when Grandmaw dies after a long life and a bout with cancer and another when both parties are killed in a tragic accident. i work probate hard and fast but would pass on this so fast I would not need to think twice. If you want to take advantage of this type of situations there are plenty of probate cases to work, and yes you might find a deal here but.
I would not even consider approaching them on this trip. The property will most likely need to be probabted, that being the case, the only thing your contact will do is to leave a bad tatste in everyones mouth.
Wait until it is in the legal system before making any attempts at contact.
Quote:
On 2003-12-31 11:57, telemon wrote:
I would not even consider approaching them on this trip. The property will most likely need to be probabted, that being the case, the only thing your contact will do is to leave a bad tatste in everyones mouth.
Wait until it is in the legal system before making any attempts at contact.
Exactly! As grandson who was raised by his grandparents (so more like mom and dad to me), I would be very put off--actually very angry--if someone approached me this soon after a sudden and tragic loss.
Rick is right. Passing after a long illness is one thing (tho a week after is still too early to approach them in my opinion); but losing someone you loved dearly suddenly is quite a bit different.
As you may imagine, I have great compassion and respect for the elderly and it generally angers me to hear of someone taking adavantage of them. I am not necessarily saying you are in this case....Though I can see where others could see it that way.
I would just wait a bit.
just my $0.02
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RS (So. CA)[ Edited by Rogue on Date 12/31/2003 ]
Joeb,
Even though you are very interested in teh property, you should first respect the loss of a life. Money shouldn't be the most important aspect of this situation.
I would go over and offer my condolense and see if there was anything I could do.
I may even offer to keep an eye on the prpoerty to report any vandalism and such, in there striking up the conversation of thier plans (where they live, if they like it, do they ever plan to move back here, the house how you bet it hold sentamential values, and even comment on the lovely house and how your would just love to buy one like this). Don't push your luck or even repeat yourself if they don't comment back. Try and find out when they were leaving and make sure to say goodbye to them leaving them a contact number if they think of anything he could do to help them. It might not be a bad idea to get thier number also.
After a little time passes. maybe a couple of weeks, contact them and see how they are doing and then I would bring up the suubject of their intentions on that lovely house. (Not a second earlier).
This approach, if I were in their shoes, I could stomach.
just the wat I would handle it.....
while i agree with everyone on this topic, they seem to have forgotten tht the "kids" are in their seventies. i doubt there will as much shock of death. i'm sure everyone knows that people usually die much before their 90's and are thankful if its quick and easy as opposed to a long suffering illness.
i would offer my condolences and also mention that if they needed any help with the real estate like renting, selling or just keeping an eye on it, i could help.
Very tacky. Common courtesy dictates that you at least wait until the folks are buried before you try to negotiate the purchase of their house. But maybe thats just me.
I attend all occasions, and speak nothing but good things about the older couple. I may take in the Dog, Cat, Employ the Gardner,whatever.
I offer to keep an eye on the property, just being the good neighbor. I may even have the lawn mowed, the flowers sprayed and all papers picked up. I of course have their home addresses and telephone numbers and just stay in touch.
Then, as it must to every man, I get the call. I try to be helpful. Walk, do not run as you call the appraiser, the house inspector, etc. etc. It is then, the moment of grief has vanished, it is the time of monies.
So buy the house. Being helpful.
Lucius
I think esuccess and Lufos have the right approach. Sincerely offer to help and then if/when the subject arises......
If it doesn't work out, you've still done a good deed and established a nice reputation in the neighborhood.
Good Luck !
[addsig]
Wait until they open probate before approaching them. You'll have plenty of time to make them an offer.
I think that you could approach them and say your sorry for their loss and any good things you might know about the old couple.
If they are out of state let them know you would be willing to keep an eye on the property if they get in a pinch. As for their name and number so you can "contact them if you see anything strange going on.
Really all you need to do is get them to talk. They will let you know if they are thinking of selling the house right away or not.
My Grandfather (who I lived with for years) died last year and my mother and father and aunts and uncles started that week cleaning out the house and would have welcomed an offer to buy the house at any point two days after he passed on.
You should be dealing with adult mature people, they will not be shocked by their parents demise at 90.
Just start a conversation and see where they lead you.
Randall
I personally would not feel right or comfortable about approaching someone under these circumstances -- however, this is business, right? Why fake interest and concern? People can see through that and might regard you as some sort of con man just trying to take advantage with a lot of smooth talking fake concern. I think it would be better just to send a card of condolence and include your business card with a note that you can help if they need to make some decisions about the house. Then, maybe a couple of weeks later, you can personally introduce yourself and your business plan. I mean, afterall, that's what you really want isn't it?
I really feel people remember more of what they see rather than what they read. I'd like them to remember my face as well as our conversation.
Condolence doesn't nor should be fake. An honest word of encouragement shouldn't be that hard to muster up.
Quote:
On 2003-12-31 11:04, joeb wrote:
A couple in their 90s where killed in a car accident last week in my neighborhood. They had a very nice house which I am very interested in, Their children (in their 70s) live out of state but they are here for the week. What would be the best way to approach them regarding purchasing the house.
If I were in my 70's and my parents were in thier 90's the idea of "mortality" has probably been mentally addressed with regard to myself and my parents. However, I would be grevious for a time; loss of a loved one is an emotional experieince regardless to any mental preparation. BUT, if a nicely dressed, and respectable professional approched me with TRUE sincerety and offered their condolences and a business card, stating that " now might not be good time but when things settle down, if I can be of any service, here's my business card." I might not be too offended. These people might just be astute enough to rationalize that business will need to be attended to, regardless to their grief.
But you won't know, if you don't make an effort.
All the best.